Aim
This is a course in clinical tropical medicine and HIV for clinicians. The overall aim is to provide general knowledge about infectious diseases which require or thrive in a warm climate and / or are important causes of morbidity and mortality in low-income countries. The focus is on diagnosis and treatment both in situations with scarce resources and in more affluent countries. The field visit to Ethiopia gives the participants a unique experience of the health system and infectious disease panorama in a developing country
General description
The course consists of full-time studies for a total of 6 weeks during the time period November 12th 2012 – February 17h 2013. There will be three separate weeks in Stockholm, the equivalence of one week distance learning and a two week field visit to Ethiopia
Those who pass the examinations (weekly and final) and participate in the field visit will receive a certificate. It is possible to attend a single week (week 1 or 2) without completing the entire course. The maximum number of participants is 24 fully qualified physicians for the whole course and 30 for week 1 and 2.
Theoretical part in Stockholm
The theoretical part in Stockholm consists of three separate weeks. The two first weeks are separate modules (Malaria/ systemic protozoan infections and HIV, respectively). The last week (3rd) also includes the final examination and final case discussions
In the mornings there are lectures providing an overview of the diseases and covering epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, therapy and prophylaxis.
In the afternoon there are in-depth clinical discussions in small groups based on an abundant number of case reports. There will also be practical training in microscopic examination (week 1 and 3) and study visits. Friday afternoons are free.
Distance e-learning
The participants are given literature recommendations for self studies and patient cases to prepare. Some lectures will be available on the web. This will cover main tropical viral and bacterial infections. On the final examination these diseases will be included. Participants will also hand in written comments and be prepared to present during the final case seminar. The total workload is equivalent to one week of full time studies.
Field visit in Ethiopia
During the field visit (February 2nd – 17th 2013) the focus is on bedside teaching. The participants will meet patients at different levels of the health system in Ethiopia – from rural health stations to the university hospital in the capital.